€24m to be spent restoring 1,400 vacant social houses

At least 1,400 vacant social houses are to be returned to productive use by the end of the year for homeless households and families on housing waiting lists.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney will today confirm €24m will be spent on the scheme, which is part of the Government’s Vacant Properties (voids) programme. A breakdown of the locations of the properties shows that, for example, 112 in Cork city and county are to be returned to use at a cost of almost €2.2m, while in Dublin 539 units will be upgraded at a cost of €10.6m.

Mr Coveney’s department said the priority of the scheme is to rehouse homeless families to the fullest extent possible in homes that have been restored to an energy-efficient condition.